The University of the Cordilleras (UC) keeps pollution out of the water system by treating its wastewater, testing effluent every quarter, and sending hazardous waste to accredited treaters. In 2025, it collected 1.90 tons of hazardous waste for proper disposal. The work is led by the Campus Management Office’s (CMO) Campus Compliance & Pollution Control Officers Unit.
The University’s water pollution prevention efforts rest on four measures.
- Wastewater treatment and RO filtration: Wastewater from campus toilets, urinals, sinks and lavatories goes to an on-site Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) with a capacity of 1,200 m³ per day. A reverse osmosis (RO) system serves as the final treatment stage, removing residual impurities so the water can be safely reused. In 2025, treated wastewater combined with harvested rainwater supplied 17,847 m³ for toilet flushing and landscape irrigation.
- Effluent testing and permit compliance: Effluent is sampled at the STP every quarter. The sampling confirms that treated wastewater meets Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order No. 2016-06, the Water Quality Guidelines and General Effluent Standards of 2016. The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) has issued the University a Discharge Permit under Republic Act 9275, the Philippine Clean Water Act.
- Hazardous waste handling: Hazardous waste goes to the Logistics Management Office for inventory. This includes laboratory chemicals from student experiments, pathological waste from the medical clinic and nursing laboratory, paint cans, and waste electrical and electronic equipment. The Pollution Control Officer then labels the waste, and an EMB-accredited hazardous waste treater handles final disposal.
- Maintenance and drainage improvements: JPBanosan Construction and a Buildings Maintenance Office technician carry out routine inspections and preventive maintenance of STP pumps, filtration units and the RO system. In 2025, the CMO also rerouted a storm drainpipe and floor drain to improve drainage and manage water flow within the affected facility.
Hazardous waste collected in 2025
| Type of hazardous waste | Collected (tons) | Treated (tons) |
| Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) | 1.0825 | 0.2060 |
| Containers that held toxic chemicals | 0.4179 | 0.0185 |
| Laboratory chemicals | 0.2846 | 0.0072 |
| Pathological wastes | 0.1180 | 0.0055 |
| Total | 1.9030 | 0.2373 |
Safe drinking water
The University also protects the water people drink. Seven drinking fountains serve the community: five at the Main Campus and two at the Legarda Campus. The water undergoes microbiological analysis every quarter, and the fountains receive regular preventive maintenance.
Treating wastewater and testing effluent before discharge supports SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by protecting regional water quality. Safe handling and accredited treatment of hazardous waste supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Treatment infrastructure and drainage improvements support SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). Together, these measures contribute to a safer, cleaner Baguio City under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
Source: Campus Management Office, University of the Cordilleras
